1) ‘Because the Lear stories concentrate upon the masculine predicament of Kingship and Fatherhood, and the dangers in relinquishing both forms of authority, it is dramatically necessary that the Queen be already dead.’ (Joyce Carol Oates) How far would you agree with this statement about King Lear?
2) Legitimacy and illegitimacy function on a variety of both literal and metaphorical levels within King Lear. Discuss the prevalence of this motif and its relevance to King Lear.
3) King Lear gives tragic representation to the family as a site of utter disarray, where ‘family values’ are destabilised and collapsed,’ Analyse King Lear in the light of this statement.
